The Year of the Ox will be here in about 10 days and we've already started preparations. Today, Ma and Gong brought new clothes for Bud and Sis, a Chinese tradition. Bud has a gorgeous blue, red, and gold silk suit with dragons. Sis's lovely suit is pink with light green, covered in cherry blossoms. They both tried them on and were excited to have such special clothes, which they will wear to the New Year's celebrations at Ma and Gong's house, also at school, playgroup, a friend's house (for Tet, the Vietnamese name for New Year), and perhaps even to church.
We've been reading our new book, from Barefoot Press, entitled The Great Race, which relates the story of how the years came to be named after animals. This weekend we'll pull our New Year's box out of the basement and decorate the house with red lanterns, banners full of wishes for health and prosperity, and faux firecrackers. Ma and Gong even made us a few signs today wishing happy new year. Then there will be the requisite run to the store for various foods to share, though Ma and Gong will do the bulk of the shopping in various Chinatowns (Flushing, Bay Ridge, probably not Manhattan) in NYC. I'll relate more of the traditions after we go down to celebrate; it's actually a very solemn occasion, with numerous prayers and rituals and proscribed foods, over several days. And for the first time, I think the kids will remember, even if they don't totally understand. It was Mama's favorite holiday as a child and I hope it's the same for Bud and Sis.
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